Root Xperia Z2 D6502, D6503 23.1.A.0.726 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware Plus Recovery

Sony released the first Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update for Xperia Z2 with build number ending in .690. This firmware had some bugs related to X-Reality Engine and other basic functions. Sony recently released the 23.1.A.0.726 firmware for Xperia Z2 D6502 and D6503. It is based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. This update is meant to fix the bugs that came with the first Android 5.0.2 released for Xperia Z2. Moreover, this update makes the devices much better performer as compared to before.

Those who have updated their devices to 23.1.A.0.726 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware must have lost root access. There are those who have not rooted their devices yet. This guide explains two basic things that any power Android user requires of his Android handset; Root and Custom Recovery. This guide explains how to root Xperia Z2 Lollipop Firmware and install Dual Recovery (TWRP and Philz Touch CWM). The guide is for two variants of Xperia Z2; D6502 and D6503. This guide must not be used on any other variant of Xperia Z2 or any other Xperia handset. Number of files are used in the rooting process which are specific for Xperia Z2. There are some pre-requisites for this guide as well like unlocking the bootloader. You must complete these prerequisites before moving on to the rooting process. All of the steps are explained in detail so if you are new to this stuff, you’ll find this guide to be pretty much easy-to-follow.

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z2 D6503 and Xperia Z2 D6502

This rooting method is only for the device mentioned above. Make sure that your model number matches the one listed above. To do so, go to Settings > About Device on your device and see your model number. Flashing this firmware on any other device will result in bricking it so make sure that you meet this requirement first of all.

2. Battery should be charged at least over 60%.

Make sure that your battery is charged enough to complete the flashing process. In case your battery is low and your device goes dead during the flashing process, you may end up soft bricking your device as it won’t complete the flashing process.

3. Backup everything!

Just to be on the safe side, you may consider backing up each and everything from your Android device. This is highly recommended so that in case anything goes wrong, you still have the access to all of your data and you can restore it immediately. You may backup everything as listed below.

• Backup SMS Messages
• Backup Call Logs
• Backup Contacts
• Backup Media – Copy your files manually to your PC or Laptop.
• Titanium Backup – If already rooted, use Titanium Backup to backup all of your apps, system data and other important content. If you haven’t rooted your device previously, skip this step.
• Backup Nandroid – If CWM  or TWRP installed previously, otherwise skip this step and perform this at the end of flashing.

4. Enable USB Debugging Mode on your device.

Enable USB debugging mode on your device. To do so, tap settings>developer options>USB debugging. If you can’t find developer options in settings, then tap settings > about device and tap “Build Number” for 7 times and you’ll get em’ activated under settings.

5. Install and setup Sony Flashtool.

You must have installed the Sony Flashtool. Find the full guide here.

After installing Sony Flashtool, open the Flashtool folder from the drive where you installed it. Now open Flashtool>Drivers>Flashtool-drivers.exe and install the Flashtool, Fastboot & Xperia Z2 drivers from the list. If you do not find the Flashtool drivers in Flashmode, skip this step and install Sony PC Companion instead, for drivers support. [Important]

6. Use OEM data cable to establish connection.

Make sure that you use the phone’s original data cable to establish connection between your phone and the PC. Using a different data cable might result in interrupting the firmware installation.

7. Unlock Bootloader

Use the following guide to unlock the bootloader of your Xperia device before proceeding.

Steps For Rooting Xperia Z2 D6503/D6502 23.1.A.0.726 Firmware

1. Downgrade to .167 Firmware and Root It

1. If you have already updated your smartphone to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, then you have to downgrade your device to KitKat OS and Root it.
2. Use this guide to Install .167 firmware.
3. Root using this guide.
4. Now Install XZ Dual Recovery.
5. Now phone is rooted, USB Debugging must be enabled.
6. Download latest installer for Xperia Z2 from here. (Z2-lockeddualrecovery2.8.10-RELEASE.installer.zip)
7. Connect phone to PC using OEM date cable and run install.bat.
8. It will install the custom recovery.
9. Now work here is done. Lets move on to next step.

2. Make A Pre-Rooted Flashable Firmware For .726 FTF

1. Download PRF Creator and install on your system.
2. Download SuperSU zip and place anywhere on PC.
3. Download .726 FTF and place it anywhere on PC.
4. Download Z2-lockeddualrecovery2.8.10-RELEASE.flashable.zip
5. Now run PRFC and add all three required files in it.
6. Then click on Create.
7. Once the Flashable ROM is created, it will show the successful message.
8. Do not touch any other option while creating the pre-rooted firmware.
9. Now copy the pre-rooted firmware to the phone’s internal storage.
10. Our work in this step is now done. Move on to next step.

Note: If you do not want  to create a pre-rooted flashable zip yourself, then you can download flashable zip for your phone from one of the downlod links given below.

D6502 23.1.A.0.726 Pre-Rooted Flashable Zip | D6503 23.1.A.0.726 pre-Rooted Flashable Zip

3. Root and Install Recovery on Z2 D6502/D6503 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware

1. Custom recovery was installed in the first step.
2. The pre-rooted firmware was created and copied to phone in next step.
3. Now you have to turn off phone.
4. Turn it on again and press volume up or down repeatedly to enter custom recovery.
5. Click on install and locate the folder where you placed the flashable zip earlier.
6. Tap on it and install it.
7. Now reboot the phone.
8. If phone is still connected to PC via USB cable, disconnect it.
9. Now go back to the .726 ftf you downloaded in second step and copy it to /flashtool/fimrwares
10. Open flashtool and click on lightning icon in the top left.
11. Click on it and click on flashmode.
12. Select the .726 firmware.
13. In the right bar, in the exclude options, exclude System only while flashing. Leave every other options as it is.
14. While flashtool prepares the software for flashing, turn off your phone.
15. Keep the volume down button pressed and connect it to PC via USB cable.
16. The button must be pressed during it.
17. The phone will enter flashmode.
18. Flashtool will automatically detect it and start flashing.
19. After flashing phone will reboot and you will be done 🙂
20. That’s all 🙂 Enjoy
21. Now your phone has a dual custom recovery, root access and of course latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware.

Got any questions? Ask me in the comments below